"Old Style" Okinawa Karate 沖縄空手 

Your mastery of being able to drop your body weight using your stances is amazing, the first minute+ is pure gold. Thank you for sharing this

Way more alive and dynamic than the regular stuff. Looks like what real Kung Fu is supposed to look like

Your videos have become of utmost importance to me! I am a Shuri-Ryu practicioner in Washington, where we are the only dojo of our kind in the Pacific Northwest and as such we have a rather basic bunkai level of practice. I prefer to see this as opportunity though! Even from a basic level we teach and practice blocks as two-handed maneuvers with the opposite hand from the blocking hand being used as deflection. So from the very beginning we are practicing to utilize the grapping you demonstrate!

Anyone who has more than an ARMCHAIR understanding of the fighting arts knows that the ability to take blows and continue fighting is a useful skill. Certainly it doesn't guarantee success, but it is definitely advantageous. Just in terms of dealing with fear it is useful. Many Okinawan karate masters have been famous for their iron body skills. It is as legit as it gets.

Thank you so much for the support and extremely kind remarks. It is heartening to know that people are finding these videos useful and interesting. It is really wonderful to see so many people taking another look at the old methods. Warmly yours, Ryan

Ryuei ryu is an very solid Okinawan art with some real depth. You are of course correct about the fighting. Some comments are hard not to reply to, but I should probably try harder.

good job with flowing in and out of the traditional stances for your self-defense techniques. that's exactly how those stances are supposed to be used!

Thank you for your very kind words (I had to use a translation engine to get the general idea). I am glad you like what I shared. Train hard, Ryan.

Thank you for your videos. I have struggled with practical bunkai of many katas.

Reminds me of my hard body training in China. Make the body hard also know soft so as to have freedom of movement but keep the internal always! Pay no mind to the people who doubt only pay mind to your art. I hope that you keep this tradition in traditional hands only.

This was in part a demonstration of the results of Okinawan "Iron Body" training sometimes referred under the general heading of "Kiko". The reason you didn't see much difference is because it is the Okinawan version Qigong.

It's a breath of fresh air to see REAL Karate on RU-vid !!

Do I find this kind of teaching in Brasil? I'm not interested in competitive Karate or as a sport, but Karate as a martial art. I wanna live the spirit of bushido. Thank you. OSU!

Sensei, thanks to his videos and his knowledge, inspired me to learn English. so that I could absorb - in addition to visually - his knowledge and some more Senseis, in the Old Paths. many of these knowledge today, even in Okinawa, are unfortunately being lost. either because of lack of means, or because of the characteristic lack of interest of the young people (my age). because the Kohais are no longer interested in legitimate Karate; created for, above all, defense and self-knowledge? sad road Tode is being taken. sad way...

very taijutsu or jujutsu ish approach, simple but effective, a solid karate or kempo dojo would surely apply this style of training, nicely done

Excellent and you didn't have to share this information. Bless you for doing so!! Domo!

I would like to say that, thank u Sir for uploading these great videos demonstrating the actual art of Okinawan Karate.. I have been following you since the last 10 years.. I benefited greatly in understanding from ur Kata combat applications, introduction to Kiko n Kyusho n Tuidi forms... 😊🙏🙏☘️

Fair enough. There is little I can do to convince you over the internet, especially since you have offered no reasons for your doubts. The best I can do is offer to show you the techniques in person if you are ever in the Fargo area. I don't claim to have used every technique I teach, but I -can- tell you that I have had no difficulty applying and/or adapting what I know when my jobs have required it.

Thank you very much for the kind words. Regarding Iron Body and damage to the organs, I am completely certain that Iron Body training actually made my organs quite a bit stronger. The training is aimed primarily at promoting health and longevity. The martial benefits are considered ancillary (but obviously quite significant).

from the Brazilian Northeast I send my most respectful, and full of admiration, "Osu!"

I just attendend a seminar then dinner with Master Tadashi Yamashita...I HIGHLY recomend his seminars if you practice Shorin Ryu, or other martial arts because, they all have the same end...

Wow! And those weren't light throat punches either!

Thanks.What I've seen of Iha shinshi's karate very much reminds me of Oyata shinshi and Kuda shinshi. Definitely in the same family of "old style" karate. I love his "partnership drills".

Agreed. The human body is not as sensitive as some junk martial artist let on. Karate without solid contact and intent is called ballet. The way Karate is demonstrated in this video is the way it should be. Keep up the good work and don't listen to junk science. :)

Thanks for the kind offer. I don't know that I will ever be in your area, but it's a kind offer just the same. Thanks. Have a nice day. : )

I wish there was a Shinjinbukan dojo near me, as it seems like a style with a lot of substance. Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked the tuite .

That is all reasonable and intelligent advice. Thanks for adding it. I certainly would never advise anyone to try this, but it is interesting to note that many Okinawan masters continued to demonstrate the ability to take full power blows well into old age. Again, that isn't *advisable* but it is fascinating to me that they were -able- to do so. Also it is worth mentioning that you do not need to take blows in order to gain many health benefits from the practice of kiko and related disciplines.

@uminchu7th "the closely guarded secrets of one style, are the common knowledge of another style." Finally you said something I agree with.

Essentially all of those blows could easily cause long term damage in an untrained person. The purpose of the training is to strengthen the body to the point that one experiences neither pain nor damage from such blows (including the kidneys and groin). Okinawan kiko and true Iron-body qi-gong are quickly becoming lost arts. It's rare to find people who still know/do this type of training.

Thanks for the kind words. The song is Garry Dyson's Heart Sutra mix.

One more thought on damage to organs from demonstrations involving taking blows, Itokazu Yoshio continued to demonstrate taking blows until he was nearly 60 and in his 80s he claimed that he had no ill effects from it. Higa Yuchoku apparently maintained an ability to take blows into his 70s. Itosu Anko often demonstrated the ability to take blows well into his 70s and possibly even his 80s. If there is no evidence of damage by one's 70s and 80s then I think it is safe to say there is no damage.

I'm 42. I agree that after 40 a great deal more caution should be exercised and more importantly it is deeply important to receive proper training from a caring and knowledgeable instructor. I would distinguish between "dynamic tension" and sanchin. One needs to be very careful with dynamic tension and its use after 40 is not advised (by me anyway). But sanchin can be practiced with out dynamic tension. There is a link to an article on the type of training I used in the video description.

"Old style" meaning the way karate or any art was practice in the old way. So this might be the old way or concept of training, it is for self-defense: If one attack you this way; react this way and so on like as being shown here. It is not like now where the students will line up and then follows a sequence of routine, do some kata, and then sparring. this is what i have experience in the 70's when I tried Shotokan Karate where in the sparring which we do not use head gear, body armour shin guard or groin protector we hit with punch and kick but only to the body. The face is not included. On the other hand, there is a group of old people who train another way, just like this video, where one who knows some self defense technique will teach others and there is an attacker and a defender who will apply the technique. After some training, they will have "cleaning" where one will do any attack to the defender who must be able to defend himself from the attack.

MY comment was in sincere respect. I just see things often that I seriously doubt would work on the street against an attacker using full force and speed.

There is something special, inspiring and magnetic in your style! I didn't fully believe in things like combat ki. I thought it was a sort of some crafty tricking. But after watching your video I am completely sure that such things are possible. Side kicks to the legs are just tremendous!!!

There are links in the video description to articles on the training. I believe there is a full power shot to the jaw in this video but most of the strikes to the throat rather than the face. Hope you find the information helpful.

This old style training body conditioning by actual hit to some parts of the body except the face, head, groin. to prepare the body for simpact from strike of the opponent. in this way, one can absorbed impact without injury.

I'll PM you sometime within the next week and try give you a better idea of how i train (then and now). I had done very little heavy impact conditioning when that footage was shot (only shins and forearms). I had done some light conditioning with a bamboo hitter. I do much more impact conditioning now, but that has more to with my desire to slow age related physical decline than it has to do with taking blows.

Very nice technique! Have you ever trained with Master Oyata? Also do you incorporate kyusho along with the tuite? Thank you for your time.

I am a practitioner of Bujinkan Taijutsu, and I want to congratulate you. You are a warrior like I've seen very few times before. Amazing, simply amazing... God bless you and I hope you are teaching your view of this art to someone.

@thecontemplative2 That was supposed to say: "When asked to back up your words, you beg off and even claim that you didn't make a challenge that is still publicly posted for all to see. You're a real class act."

Thank you so much for posting this video.

You are Lord of karate! These skills look like combat ki.

this is consistant with what I have observed from Yuichi Kuda, Ken Penland, and others.Nicely done.

He is pure mastery

body conditioning and chi energy if i'm not mistaken

Very interesting!! I admire the control you demonstrate in order to not hurt each others joints. My club practices taking hits but nothing quite like this. I can only imagine how long it takes to condition your body to be able to withstand some of these strikes!

I have two versions of this video. The version on my blog does indeed have different music. The blog version is the older of the two versions.

The music is Garry Dyson's "Heart Sutra dance mix". It's listed at the end of the video and in the video description. You should be able to find it with a google search.

Sweeeeet That was quite impressive! Karate at its best right here! I've seen a few martial artists take hits before to the trhoat and groin, but not everywhere else like u did! wow great job

The sad thing is that many injuries to students come from the people who have been placed in charge, sometimes even the head instructor--so be careful who train with and even more so with whom you place your children so be watchful and mindful

That is both untrue and a bit ignorant, especially give my comments below regarding Itokazu Yoshio who demonstrated taking blows until he was nearly 60. In his 80s he claimed that he had no ill effects from it. Higa Yuchoku maintained an ability to take blows into his 70s. Itosu Anko often demonstrated the ability to take blows into his 70s and taught karate into his 80s. If there is no evidence of damage by one's 70s and 80s then I think it is safe to say there is no damage.

I have no idea if you are talking about the self defense techniques or the "iron body" skills... Either way, if you are ever in the Fargo / Moorhead area you are welcome to test these techniques against "real speed". . Seems like everybody is a critic, but the people hitting me were all quite competent martial artists. I don't think anybody in these demonstrations was really moving that slowly but I guess you can always show me what you think "real" speed should look like...

absolutly--the testing is great for younger students. and i too have seen many Okinawan masters on okinawa to take such punishment--perhaps it is because they have been doing it for more than 40 years--just a guess. thanks for the return--you seem to be a well trained and intelligent martial artist.

Great video! Thank you.

I would agree with you, accept that if the person hitting is properly channeling energy, you could still receive long term damage.

It is not the techniques, It is not any one style that is superior but it comes down to the talent of the practitioner who is applying them. As a retired law enforcement officer I had my share of "work on the street" moments. I had a lot of complaints lodged against me not for excessive force but because I was able to get them in cuffs faster and it wasn't "fair". I would ask respectfully where and when you draw your street experience from?

@nolasensei Erik was a power-lifter and speed wasn't his strongest area, but he wasn't slow. Compare the speed of Erik's punches to the full-power / full-speed punches I was absorbing in the second half of the video. They are clearly of similar speed. I was perhaps faster than Erik but his punches weren't slow, much less 2 mph. Grabs and pushes are slower than punches in real life. So yeah, those are slower... just like in real-life.

Your videos are mind blowing. I'm a brown belt in isshinryu and currently picked karate back up after a few years lay off in a Shotokan dojo. Any way I have questions. Don't full shots to the family jewels kind of still damage them despite your air compression techniques I'm guessing you are using? I can kind of understand the body and neck a bit but knee caps and balls have me stumped. I must be missing something. How on earth do you to this? For you have a book for Karatekas to learn these methods? Don't think I'd be as extreme as you but I'd love to learn whatever the heck you know. Much respect to you Sir. God bless. Usu

The video is very deliberately not of a particular style. Rather it is meant to reflect an -approach- to the art which remains closer to the pre-Meiji approach to Okinawan martial arts. The video shows old style Todejutsu as opposed to modern Karatedo. It shows material derived from Suidi and Nafadi (and even a bit of Udundi). You can look in the video description for a link about my background (styles I've trained in) which will give you a good idea of where these methods come from.

does this sensei belong to a particular okinawan ryu? incredible endurance by the way.

That is amazing the human body can take that kind of punishment with no effect on the person. Can this be done while moving? Example in a tournament with no idea of where the person is going to strike you and you are trying to strike them as well? Thank you for sharing.

i used to practice the Isshinryu sanchin a lot and every now and again the (what some have called) Higaonna version---actually the breathing is quite difficult. But the best (for me anyway) has been the Uechi-ryu version--it seems less intense on my body overall and internally. But under no circumstances do i allow testing on me. thank you for your input. dave

The "iron shirt" training damages/dulls pain receptors so that less of a signal is being delivered to the brain but he still gets many of the reflexes. Therefore, it may not hurt but it still does damage longterm(as far as I've read). Taking strikes to large area/targets of the body isn't difficult to accept either, he looks like he has been getting hit for years in this way. Thai/MMA/kickboxers etc all have similar durability with respect to such strikes(except groin perhapes). Nothing Fake.

I added a link to a general outline of the kiko training I did to develop this ability in the video description. I hope it helps. I also PMed you some additional details.

I believe that I am still making small gains but not as fast as the first six months which felt really remarkable to me. I have found the practices to be pretty darn effective. I can offer my thought on the possible role of Senzui kiko in mitigating age related physical decline in private email if you want. Video comments are too brief (at only 500 characters) to do the subject justice.

Definitely not the lord of anything much less karate. . But thanks. I never learned "combat ki" but my understanding is that it is basically Sanchin type dynamic tension breath-work, visualization, and impact conditioning which is all fairly typical of hard style Okinawan kiko (and Yi jin jing qigong training before that). So what they do is clearly related to what I do (but not quite identical). I -did- steal the 4 simultaneous punches to the neck idea from a combat ki demo I saw.

I study Shido-Kan Shorin Ryu under Sensei Seikichi Iha, And I like your point of view.

I don't get it. Why is it that people have to basically call another man a liar. This person is obviously highly skilled, selling nothing and yet the negative comments come across as nothing less than jealous and wreckless. Why can't the man be what he says he is? Jesus learn what you can and ignore the rest. If you don't like it don't watch it. The negative comments and accusations do not help foster the attitude nor the proper representation that we as martial artist r suppossed 2 represent

Gracias por tu comentario. Permítaseme abordar sus puntos por una pregunta. Usted ha dicho un hombre grande podría absorber esos golpes sin dificultad. Si afecta a la garganta, la ingle y las rodillas de un gran hombre no funciona, ¿qué es, exactamente, lo que cree que funcionaría en un gran hombre? ¿O simplemente creen grandes hombres son invencibles?

I love all of these videos and believe that among a very select few, your videos serve as one of the best possible reference points for someone to see what true Okinawan Karate looks like. Your channel is a valuable asset to countless karate-ka and other martial artists on youtube. However, if this video is demonstrating the "old-style" pre-Meiji Karate Do or Tuidi, then I'm curious as to why you would've chosen to use 沖縄の 空手 instead of 沖縄の唐手 or maybe 琉球國 の唐手. Osu!

I will begin by saying that I'm not a fan of mainstream karate for many reasons, however my brother your demonstration of karate self-defense is the most efficient, effective, and practical I've ever witnessed in 30yrs martial arts & combat experience! I salute you and wish you many blessings in reviving this original approach to kara te! It is the best kara te demo I've ever witnessed bro! :) Please continue & may success be your companion always wherever you go! Dios te bendiga! :) Hoo-ah!

Thank you for the response. That's kinda what I'd suspected, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask. Osu!

Of particular fascination to me are your uses of the chudan/uchi uke, or formal middle block!

While I have not met "the conetemplative", I have seen several okinawans do this same thing in person against not only myself, but others who can really pack a punch and hit with the intention of damaging the man. It's legit.

Are you continuing to see improvements in the density and strength of your bones from your senzui kiko training? I ask because I had a DEXA scan and it showed a little weakening in some of my bones, so I'm thinking of doing marrow washing kiko training myself (by following your postings, since I haven't found any personal instruction in kiko where I live - Columbus, Ohio). Thank you for all your fascinating postings.

Hello! I am very interesting in the okinawan karate and your ability is wonderfull!! How can I have this abilities? I want to have a "heavy/hard" body that don't damage it with any kick or punch. Which training i have to do? Thank you very much!! I think the old karate is awesome... I'm Sorry if my language is not correct. I am from Canary Islands, Spain, and only know a little English... Thanks again!!

I chose the search term which was most likely to reach the audience I am trying to connect with. Undoubtedly the term "琉球國 の唐手" is more true to the pre-Meiji period. The problem is that nobody (including myself) searches Google/RU-vid for "琉球國 の唐手" so the term would not help connect with anybody. I believe a large number of the people I am trying to reach do search 沖縄 空手. It is about audience targeting. Which is why I don't include the term MMA despite Tudi being a mix of martial arts.

As for the self-defense applications. You would have to ask for a curriculum outline to see if it functions well for the self-defense you are looking for... A "street fight" is a vague statement. Many "streets" have knives and/or guns. Just depends on your society. Hence, "Old Style" Okinawa...

Great video Contemplative :) ive subscribed to your chanel & enjoy following you & your videos - its a nice touch you've added with the music here, its now in my favourites list ;) Are you based in the US?

I would like to see the attacker use some real speed and see if the material still works well.

Gentlemen, this is great. Nice display of technique. Only thing that I found odd is your zenkutsu dachi. Your knee no where near the middle of your foot in the x direction, which I personally find dangerous. But for all the rest I'm yealous. Osu.

if you insist on this training be sure to make place yourself under someone is qualified and do not be afraid to check an instructor's qualifications. And, never try to do something you are not ready for (regardless on any pressure from other students even if they are higher rated than you. Only you know your body and its limitations

I wish I had the time, resources, and individuals available to help me dedicate my life to MA.

Maybe I did miss the point, the way it's written I can see either interpretation. It's a little odd to post something like that here, instead of directly to your channel or inbox, if it's not meant for the public to see. Also, his last sentence said a bunch of stuff about "keeping up tradition," which, in martial arts, is usually the opposite of "learn new things, adapt, and evolve on purpose." But maybe there was a context I didn't get, it's possible.

Thank you for posting this. Deepest respects to you, Sir. I would also like to know who the artist is of the song, as I have NEVER heard the Prajnaparamita sung is this manner!

En el segundo punto, está en lo correcto. Okinawa artes marciales usar varias capas de redundancia. Para salir de la forma es muy buena. Con la mano para esquivar la huelga es casi tan bueno. La última línea de defensa es la capacidad de absorber poderosos puñetazos o patadas sin dolor ni lesiones. En caso de legítima defensa, debe utilizar los tres métodos simultáneamente. Tres capas de protección ofrecen una defensa muy eficaces.

The history and origin of Okinawan arts is not as simple as you imply. For instance tuidi probably owes as much or more to Minamoto bujutsu as it owes to Chin-na. Southeast Asian martial arts had a significant influence as well (in fact when I compare my Suidi to other martial-arts, it is Silat and Filipino styles that seem the closest.. Bottom line is that tuidi is a blend of locking and throwing from many nations and is now distinctly *Okinawan* in every meaningful way.

You pretty much missed his point entirely, most likely because you didn't understand the context of his remark. He was basically saying to -me specifically- (not to the video viewers or comment readers generally) "don't bother arguing with keyboard warriors, dedicate your time and energy to training in your art". . So while your advice about having a questioning mind is completely sound, it has nothing to do with his actual point.

music: "no origin of suffering" while getting kicked in the groin over and over again. very appropriate music

Excellent, love it.

That is absolutely FALSE. I let people hit me anywhere below the chin without asking them to tell me where they are hitting. Iron body training IS traditional Okinawan karate and many Okinawan masters were famous for this ability. I've posted my background and have never met Dillman

Thank you. I have put a message in your inbox.

@wonnthree Not born with it, although I did seem to pick it up fairly easily. This is a teachable ability and many old Okinawan masters were well known for this skill. Kiko is not difficult but can be time consuming.

Hello friend, I'm from Argentina, and I training Karate for 15 years, I training Shuri Te "Old Style", You are fantastic, I never seen here other people training who us. Pardon if my english isn't perfect. I want congratulate you for your Karate. I'll like be in contact with you. If you want I send you my e-mail. Good bye!

Russ, "pass under" at 0:24 and 0:34. Something similar at 0:46

[iminent blink]OSS! Parabens ![/blink] Achei muito bom estão de parabéns grande Sensei Belo é este trabalho,..., tem mesmo de ser bem divulgado positivamente para que as pessoas,que buscam praticas de artes marciais com determinação coragem e força de

@uminchu7th First you accuse me of speeding up the video. But it is totally clear from my other posted videos that the editing in no way significantly altered the speed of the techniques. You then claim the stuff on the video is Aikido and that I “discovered” it (ie reverse engineered it into karate). In fact, every technique on the video was taught to me by respected Okinawan teachers who are well known for their avocation of pre-Meiji restoration style techniques and training methods.

@thecontemplative2 As to looking like a Goju guy, I developed a bit of a "goju body" doing a lot of kokyu exercises. Higaonna Morio shinshi -has- influenced my understanding of karate, but Toma Shian shinshi and Kise Fusei shinshi have equally influenced my views. All these teachers would disagree with the idea that tuidi is "just Aikido" BTW the video I posted "Tuidi by Oyata Seiyu sensei" shows him explaining the differences (as he sees them) between Aikido and Tuidi.

Thanks for posting the video. Excellent self defense.